Medical oscillator



Feb. 23, y1954 A. ToNKlN MEDICAL OSCILLATOR 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1950 M y 7 E M M R Wm n is. r

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FeB. 23, 1954 A. TQNKIN MEDICAL OSCILLATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7. 1950 E'MZ rick/ver Patented Feb. 23, 1954 lVIEDICAL OSCILLATOR AlbertTonkin, St. Paul, Minn., assigner .of onehalf to'. M. Sidney Hedeen, St. Paul, Minn.

Application Allgust`7,'1950, Serial No. 178,087

3 Claims. A(CI. 12.8?64),

1 This';invention relates to `medical 'oscillators andiparticularly to a. portable'apparatus, that is adapted to safely provide massage Yand manipu-v l. latve treatments, that are beneiicial in accelerat-v ingperipheral and'deep circulation as Well as i carefully and gently' putting. skeletal `joints through their normal range of motion.

It is apparent .that there is need for apparatus,

which will stimulate peripheral circulation, and at .the :same time, loosen up muscles and joints.

Such :apparatus must'be adaptable to treat the u backv and partsof the torso, as Well as the limbs:

It .'mustfbe portable, .so thatit may .readily be broughtv Where needed. :It inust be moderate in its treament, 'so that it maybe 'safely-used under all circumstances'. For example, Ain thextreatf mentV of po1iomyelitis,i: requiring a great amount of gentlehand'massaging, there; is need'for va safeidevice, .to provide treatment` for a greater numbercof cases, with a limitedhospital stai. The'v apparatus must Ainclude means .for Warming 1 theafaffected parts, as required, andso arranged thatrzthe patient "is notV contacted 4by any cold apparatus, even at 'the beginning. of thetreat-f menti An important object' of mylinvention is to pro'- videlfan'apparatus;k thatA will ''concurrently'v or singly act to accelerate.peripheralfcirculation and ii to *restore :functionA of paralyzed and'inactive muscles l:and other members of .thebodyi The'.

apparatusmust have elements for either-purpose,

whichcan'be arranged .if needed, vto treatk a com` siderable tarea fand: applied. to either limbs. or p torso',` by encircling same' or by parts of the'body reposing thereon.

Another important object is to provide suchV anapparatus, With a device for Warmingl the airv or uid within -the elements, to raise the subnormal temperature, that is prevalent in the diseased parts. Such device must be closely controllable as to degree 'of warmth, with an on and oirarrangement, and'provision made for heat-l ingrat the source, with means for exhausting to atmosphere; to quickly attain ar comfortable temperature forI the patient.

Another important object is .to provide such anapparatus, having alternating action in adja'- x cent'or otherwisearranged elements, and adapted to operate'on'different setsv of elements,v the 'oscil-A lationssof allf of Whichzare subject-to fine control, i* as to -frequency and duration of the respective` steps;

Another. importantobject is to provide suchan` apparatusin portable aswell as stationaryiorm, so lthattit mayfeasilybe brought. Where-.neededi c and so it maybe lusedto treat more .than.,.one..` patient at a time, by attaching additional relee...-

ments..

Another `important .-object; is to provider-suchan'y apparatus, affording gentle*` and` moderate.` massagel and :manipulative treatments,y v-thatnarefsafe under i all circumstances, Without subjecting the body to alternatesuctionfand pressure, fwitha.. out-rubbing and.V chang or other/drawing anda Working of the limbs. f

Another .object isfto provide an apparatus with .-t such desirable featuresfbut. Whichfcan be pro-` gen-.w

duced at afreasonable price, so itmaybe in eraluse.

Other Aobjects will be .apparentfrom the de-.; scription and 'appended claims;v

For afull disclosure of my inventioni reference-f is made to the description-.following andto the.

drawings, in which...

Fig. 1 is a side-elevationnview'of the apparatus in operative position,- withsuch-parts .thereofl -in section as necessary to show.the:pump anditsf,

operating mechanism Fig. 2'is a frontelevationview'oi the apparatusr: with a part thereof=in sec-tion as ynecessary .to f

show the electric heatene` Fig. 3 isa rear-elevation viewof the apparatus. I

Fig. Yl is a plan/view of the .-apparatuswfr Fig. y5 is ar plan lview/fof aninatable treating-.-

element, consisting of a. multiple arrangementof small tubes.

Fig'. 6, is a;p1an.view-,of another'type of inflat-.2v ableitreating relement, f consisting 'of a large 'tube-f of Whichsevera-lcmay y'be-joined.l to a header t Fig: '7 is ai cross sectional view-takenfonline;` '1 -'l of Fig. 5, showing yalternate tubes of the" multiple,v small tube` arrangement inflated.r

Fig. .i8 is a cross sectionalfviewtaken =onfline f 8 3 of Figf', showingfthe 'large tube element inflatedp l Fig. 9, is a"viewfsimilarto Figa-8 butfwith the-f large tubeelement deated.

Referring now to v'the several Viiguresof the drawing,I .the reference character I i) indicatesL a Apiston.,secured "to a pistonzrod H, at -substan-zl tially the mid-point thereof: I This 4piston'rodis provided with a conventional sealingfring l2 and a conventional bearing i3, in the cylinder-cap-l if! -and likewiseiin thewendof --thecylinder-d.:` The .cylinder .is preferably.- of cast iron andthe.. cap .of cast,l aluminum, secured .to the cylinder in conventional `manner with.. machine., screws.

Grooves are providedin the cap andin vthe end, of theccylinder., .for the...sealingrings, and .sim-, 1 -ilarly recesses machined-.for thelbearings. It will be observed that a double acting pump is provided. A heater compartment is provided around the cylinder, by means of an outer shell i5, and a layer of insulation Il placed between said outer shell I and an inner shell i8. An electric heating element I9, of suitable capacity, is mounted on the cylinder within the compartment, and subjected to control in conventional manner. The heater compartment is joined and is secured to the cylinder, by machine screws or in other accepted manner. Each end of the cylinder is provided with three ports 2l into which are inserted threaded bushings 22. These are preferably positioned, so that connection can be made, on each side and the front at the top and bottom of the cylinder, for a purpose to be subsequently explained.

The lower end 23 of the cylinder is preferably cast integral with the housing, and a gasket 24 is provided in the juncture between the cylinder and housing. A connecting rod 25,`with a bearing 25, is joined to the piston rod H, by a pivot pin 27. The other end of the connecting rod is similarly provided with a bearing 23 and a pivot pin 29, by which it is joined to an eccentric plate 30. 'I'he eccentric plate is secured, by means of a drive pin 3|, to a shaft 32. This shaft has conventional bearings 33 at each end thereof. A sleeve 36 of rubber or other material, having frictional grip, is engaged by a friction disc 3l. A shifting lever 3B, secured by a pivot 39 and engaging a groove M in the spool d5, provides for diierent positions and speeds of the friction spool, with respect to the friction disc. The friction disc 31 is secured, by means of a drive pin lil, to

a reduction shaft 2. A drive shaft 1.3 is positioned for pairing of gears with said reduction shaft. Both shafts are provided with conventional bearings d'4 at each end. A gear 45 is fixed on the drive shaft, which meshed with a gear 46 on the reduction shaft, provides for low speed operation. Similarly a gear 4'! fixed on the drive shaft and meshed with a gear d8 on the reduction shaft, provides for high speed operation. The gears and il are xed on the drive shaft by set screws or equivalent means. The gears 45 and 43 are retained longitudinally in a free running position on the reduction shaft, by conventional snap rings engaging grooves in the shaft. These two gears are provided with sockets,

for engagement by the pins of a clutch t9, for low and high speed respectively. This clutch is subject to movement longitudinally on the reduction shaft, into engagement with either gear or into a. neutral position, by means of a shifting lever 50 on a pivot 5l. The clutch has threaded pins engaging grooves in the reduction shaft, in a conventional manner, for transmitting torque to the reduction shaft and the friction disc 3l. A bracket 52 provides for attachment of a universal type driving motor 53. The control of speed provided by the clutch and gearing and, settings of friction disc and spool, provides for any desired variation to meet the needs. To enclose and provide support for the mechanism above described, a housing is provided. This consists of a main housing 55, an upper end plate 555 and a lower end plate 57. These are secured together with conventional machine screws and studs, and as previously stated, the top of the housing forms the lower end of lthe cylinder. The housing is secured, by means of plates 53 and 5S and machine screws 60, to a handle 8l. This handle is bifurcated at the bottom, accommodating an axle 62, with a pair of wheels 63, toward the rear, and a prop 64, at the front. The Wheels are preferably provided with pneumatic tires and the prop with a rubber cup. It will be noted from the drawings, that the apparatus is thus rendered very portable, but at the same time, is very stable. A hook 65 is provided at the top of the handle, to accommodate a conventional extension cord. An electric terminal @5 is provided, and by conventional wiring, circuits formed for motor 53, and heating element lil. Inserted in these circuits, are toggle switches 6l for motor and for heater and pilot lights B8 respectively for the switches. A monometer 69, with a scale, is provided for connection with tubes to the device, to cut in and determine at a glance the pressure existing in the system. Panels l0, which are easily removable, provide access to the electrical terminal and for adjusting piston stroke respectively.

Inflatable treating elements are of two types, as disclosed respectively by Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

These are connected, by appropriate tubes, to the Y respective ports 2i, of the cylinder i5. These tubes may be provided with means for engaging the threaded bushings 22. The element, covered by Fig. 5, consists of a substantially rectangular mat, in which, sectional strips ll are formed into closed end units and having connection to headers l2, at the respective ends of the mat. Dams 13 are provided, to separate the respective headers and units, and bleeder valves 14 provide for expulsion of cold air from each respectively. Tubes l5 join same respectively to the ports 2i each end of the cylinder. By application of fluid pressure, in oscillating form and of opposite phase, to the respective headers, the mat assumes a cross-section, as disclosed by Fig. 7, and alternating with respect to the tubes. The element le, covered by Fig. 6, acts similarly to one of the sectional strips ll, but is of substantial size and is preferably provided separately, and individually joined to respective headers, by a tube ll. Also, each is provided with a bleeder valve 18. Like the element of Fig. 5, there may be alternate action in adjoining tubes, or any prescribed intermeshing arrangement can be provided. Also, these elements are not confined to a parallel arrangement, as some elements may be arranged at an angle to each other, if desired. Figs. 8 and 9 respectively show a cross section of two of these large elements, one being inflated and the other deflated. The form shown has heavy material for one half or base portion 79 of it, so that the tendency is to innate only upward in the form of a semi-circle. By applying the element of Fig. 5, for example, around a limb, peripheral circulation of blood and lymph is accelerated. At the same time, an arrangement of elements, as shown in Fig. 6, may be applied to raise and lower the limb appreciably, to

restore mobilization of muscles and normal ilex-l ing of the joint, by the mild exercise. Besides tending to make inactive members active, the motion of itself improves circulation, and greatly aided by improved peripheral circulation, induced by the element of Fig. still greater activity isattained, by reason of the improved circulation. Both types of elements can conf currently be applied to limbs or torso, by encircling or by parts of the body reposing thereon. By use of the bleeder valves, all cold air is' quickly expelled, permitting influx of air into the elements, which has been warmed to the degree desired. This closely controlled warmth is very helpful, to restoration of circulation and activity `in t members of the body; .'1 'Although' `the n' resultsfof the actionof thetwo types' of elementszi in .'combination, has been much soughta'fter, the/.i elem'entsfmay fbe 'applied' independently.. The] element v`of 6, applied in prescribed`num-...- bersand arrangement, will'have wideand imporf tant use in manipulating spinal. joints. safely 'fand '.L. comfortably, and aided .by the application'of cone i' trolled warmth. It is in this manner. `particularly favorable for reducing pressureonswollen nerves;

that emerge from the spine; As .previously re-.l ferred to, several of each of the two'types of ele-w. ments may be joined .to tubes or headers, con-. nected to the ports at the twoends `of the cylinder, in the desired arrangement of numbersfand wthrespect to the alternating phases of action; The coordinating action .of the'twoltypes. of 'ele-5:.

ments, and a substitute for tedious. hand treat-'-` ments, unlimited as to time fandtnumber of patients, is very important. :The treatmenttgis L uniform at all times, in accordance. :with pre-:.1 scribed setting of the apparatus, and unlike hand t treatments, which will vary considerably.' even.' when administered bythe same-personletlalone dilierent persons.

From the above, it is apparent .how mymedi'cal oscillator is constructed and that it meets' a great need. it is moderate in its action and safe under all circumstances. :.lt increases circula'- tion, and with the same treatment atthesame time, can be made to stimulate 'and restore function of .weakened muscles, which may be temporarily paralyzed, and restore normal motion of stiffened jointsfy Massaging-'and manipulation elements are easily adjusted to act on all parts of the body, by wrappingaround the limbs and the body, or the limbs or body reposingion the elements. Elements, of sizes and numbers to suit, are provided, to meet all requirements. The air or fluid in the elements is subjected to close-.. ly controllable Warmth, at its source of entry,` instead of warming the body or limb in .a housing or by a deiiector. 'The' entire' apparatus .is portableand readily brought'where needed, and may be used to treat more than one patient at a time, by attaching additional elements. With connections made at opposite ends of the cylinder, alternate actions are produced inv adjacent elements. It is adjustable to frequency and duration of the respective steps. elements, with the narrow alternate acting strips, wrapped around a limb, around the body, or in some cases, the limb or a portion of the body reposing on said element, the gentle rhythmic pulsations accelerate circulation of blood and lymph. By reason of the more active and healthy peripheral blood circulation, which nourishes the nerve termini, the function of these termini is improved. Many cases of nervousness and attendant irritability are merely cases of reduced peripheral circulation. Vascular diseases today are a leading cause of. disability and discomfort, the elimination of which would add years to the average life. The lack of blood to the extrimities of the body causes numbness, coldness and rheumatic pains. With improvement in circulation, diabetic ulcers and gangrenous conditions can be arrested, avoiding amputation. Frost bitten parts can likewise be restored. Arterio-sclerosis and other stubborn ailments can be greatly alleviated. By the use of the larger single elements, placed singly or in multiple and alternately acting or otherwise arranged, on Which the limb or body is placed, muscle tissue is massaged, circulation is accelerated and absorbing any ab- By the use of the acomodar normat'neposits in .the :.tissuesxz: This# treatment: mayl'lbe applied separately, :as: passive exercisai: or concurrently with the treatment for accelerating'circulation; as lappears very `benecial in ther treatment of poliomyelitis. f Both kinds )of rtreat-A ,i mentz'are further made'v more eective, by the warmingactionz-of .theiapparatus to raise the subnormaltemperature,Y which is `Vcommonly.. prevalent in many diseasedparts. .'Thewarming.. action, .whichfis 'provided by heatingV the air at itssourca'fbeforeit enters the treating elements, is closely controllable `and may be turned on and odi? Thisiapparatus is .therefore vital in the treatment 'of diseases; in whichibody fluid circulation is lacking'. 'and.1any=.disorders of the vascular, muscular and nervous"` systems. It is also'vital in re-establishment of joint motion including flexion and extension of spinal joints. It provides. safe, comfortable treatment, withoutfJ .strak/1,. under allv` circumstances. Pain. is relieved and warmth'returns'to the tissues. 'In-I dications are `that 'it is even beneficial inthe casenof sinus:inizection'.`A This, as Well as treat- .ment of pneumonia, may be because of spinal jointextension, as accomplishedby the large tube treatingr 1 elements This :tends to normalize sympathetic nerve function'which in turn, normalizesblood flow to all. parts. There is also'a raising and lowering of the ribs, which'increases and' decreases-the volumefof the chest cage. The resulting alternatingfpositive and negative pressures, within the chest cavity, accelerates the blood flow in the largeveins of the chest,v which gather. theblood from allparts'of the body andv returnit to the. heart, vBy application of theulargetube treating elements to the back with .warmth and rhythmicpressure, the back muscles relax and the front parts of the vertebrae are vseparated from one'another, Within anatomical limits. This extension of the vertebral column stretchesspinal ligamentsand tissues, causing increased drainage of fluids of the spinal tissues including. the spinal cord. Proper drainage of the spinal cord is very important in the treatment of such..diseases as .anterior .poliomyelitis. Increased circulation of the spinal tissues also tends to prevent, and eliminate, if present, arthritis of the spine. The large tube treating elements can be placed under a patients abdomen, with the patient face down, and with the machine properly adjusted for frequency and pressure, intestinal function is improved. As previously stated, the small tube treating elements particularly accelerate peripheral circulation and this applies to the lymph as well as the blood. Motion of both is necessary for the proper nutrition of a part. The heat, which is also supplied by the element, causes the area to be ilooded with blood. Blood is the greatest healing factor the body has. in the case of a nervous or mentally ill patient, a small tube treating element, placed flat under the patients back and properly regulated as to pressure and temperature, will, by the gentle soothing massage and heat, provide helpful relaxation. The

value of the two types of treating elements acting concurrently, is definitely very great, in the treatment of many disorders and particularly poliomyelitis.

Although the above description is somewhat lacking the long and diicult words of medical science, or the scientii'lc explanation for the results, the treatment, herein referred to, has long and generally been accepted as beneficial in the treatment of many diseases. It has been necessary heretofore, however, to administer the treatment by tedious hand massaging, supplemented by apparatus, with considerable limitations as to its saie and moderate action, and consequently could not be extended to use on al large scale. It is apparatus, that may be used safely on a large scale, for concurrently treating disorders of circulation and inactive muscles and joints, that is needed the most.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it is obvious that many changes, which are Within the scope of my invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. I therefore desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. Ain the class described com" prising double acting pump, adapted to give puff or suction strokes at respective ends thereof, operating means for said pump, a variable driving connection between said operating means and said pump, a clutch for releasing operating means, conduits connected at respective ends oz said infiatable treating elements, each unit thereof consisting of an elongated tube with one end closed and the other end provided with a connection to a conduit, said conduits being branched to accommodate a plurality of inilatable treating elements in prescribed arrangement or numbers and sizes, said inflatable elements being flexible and, adapted to be wrapped around to encircle a limb or portion of the body or such limb or portion reposed on said elements and subjected to alternating rhythmic pulsations of said elements according to arrangement of number and size of elements connected to respective ends of said pump, whereby by reason of such alternating rhythmic action of said inilatable elements an acceleration to cir,- culation and massage of muscles and articulation of joints is provided at the same time.

Z. An apparatus as claimed in claim l, characteriaed by an iniiatable treating element substantially rectangular in shape with headers at each end distributing iiuid pressure to respective sectional tubular strips of said element, said sectional strips being closed at ends opposite to said headers and having a prescribed arrangement of numbers attached to the respective headers, said iiuid pressure being supplied to said treating element in oscillating form and of opposite phase in the respective headers, bleeder valves adapted to be opened for expulsion of cold iiuid from portions of element joined to respective headers permitting rapid influx of heated duid into said element, said element being adapted to be wrapped around to encircle alimb or portion of the body or such limb or portion reposed on said velement for said element to react against same, whereby by reason of alternating action in adjacent or otherwise arranged strips a stimulus to circulation and to the mobilization of muscles and joints is provided.

An apparatus as claimed in claim l, characterized by inflatable treating elements provided with individual bleeder valves, said elements ein-g of substantial size and individually joined to a conduit, so as to be freely subject to any intermeshing arrangement and particularly adapted to be Wound around body or limb and freely arranged in various positions, whereby said elements will be particularly adaptable in normalizing muscle function and skeletal joint motion, and may be used at the same time with smaller elements in multiple, which are principally acting to accelerate circulation.

ALBERT TONKIN.

AReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PAIENTS Number Name Date 1,141560 Shurtlef July 20, 1915 1,6{18239 Rosett Nov. 23, 1926 1,772,310 Hart Aug. 5, 1930 1,898,652. Williams Feb. 21, 1933 1,913,347 Taylor June 6, 1933 2,361,242 Rosett Oct. 24, 1944 2,543,284 Gleason Feb. 2'?, 1951 

